Global Trends in Science and Technology Research Libraries
Lecture by Dr. Sohair Wastawy, executive director, Qatar National Library, Qatar Foundation
Thursday, January 26
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Auditorium 2912, Conference Center (bldg. 19)
(Refreshments will be available)
Over the last two decades, libraries have been wrestling with trends that range from open access to the ascendance of science in non-scientific fields to the increased value of process over products and all related issues to data. As research practices change to incorporate the new trends and technologies, it’s important for libraries to understand the impact of these trends on their operations and to provide the new scholarship tools to faculty and researchers, as well as expertise and programs that support users at all levels. This presentation aims to inform attendees of some important trends, share the successful implementation of a Digital Scholarship Center in a technological university and also give an update on the Qatar National Library development.
About Dr. Wastawy
Dr. Wastawy was appointed as the executive director of Qatar National Library in October 2016. Before arriving to Qatar, she was the dean of libraries, Florida Institute of Technology. She also served as the dean of the University Libraries at Illinois State University, the first chief librarian of the new Library of Alexandria in Egypt, the dean of Libraries at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and library director for the Center of the Study of Professional Ethics at IIT, and also worked as a lecturer in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Dr. Wastawy serves as member of many professional association boards and is the recipient of many awards and honors, including a Fulbright scholarship. She is also an international consultant for library buildings and management. Dr. Wastawy received her B.A. and M.A. and completed work towards her Ph.D. thesis in linguistics at Cairo University, Egypt. She has a master’s degree in library and information science from The Catholic University of America and a doctorate degree in library and information management from Simmons College, Massachusetts.